Electronic camera, information device and portable information apparatus

ABSTRACT

An electronic camera comprising an LCD panel for image reproduction and an imaging device is disclosed, in which private information attaching a predetermined attribute to a designated photographed image can be input, and in accordance with the private information, the image reproduction on the LCD panel is prohibited by a command from a CPU.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application is based upon and claims the benefit of priorityfrom the prior Japanese Patent Applications No. 2002-341005, filed Nov.25, 2002; and No. 2003-001462, filed Jan. 7, 2003, the entire contentsof both of which are incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] 1. Field of the Invention

[0003] The present invention relates to an electronic camera, and inparticular to an electronic camera, an information device and a portableinformation apparatus designed to take private information of a userinto consideration.

[0004] 2. Description of the Related Art

[0005] One recent application of a digital camera (electronic camera) isfor general users to deliver and circulate a photographed image amongmany persons. This is in view of the fact that an image obtained by anelectronic camera can be checked on the monitor of the same camera.

[0006] In such a situation, however, an image other than those the userwants to circulate among other persons may be contained in the samecamera, and may be undesirably viewed by other persons operating thecamera in circulation.

[0007] In recent years, a camera into which the voice can be input hasbeen available on the market. Although the image information is notexposed to other than the persons watching the monitor screen, thevoice, if reproduced at the same time, like the ringing bell of theportable telephone sounding in the train or the like, troubles amultiplicity of unspecified persons and the telephone user may feelashamed by the exposure of private information.

[0008] As described above, the same camera may contain both theinformation desired to be disclosed to others and the privateinformation of the user. Inadvertent reproduction of private informationmay result in a trouble and therefore the reproduction of privateinformation is better prevented.

[0009] The technique taking private situations into consideration whenin use is disclosed, for example, in Jpn. Pat. Appln. KOKAI PublicationNo. 9-330325 in which private information such as a schedule andaddresses are linked with images to facilitate search. Jpn. Pat. Appln.KOKAI Publication No. 2000-23015, on the other hand, discloses atechnique used in a theme park or the like, in which the imagemanagement is simplified by adding ID information through a remotecontroller to a camera used by many persons. Other known techniques aredisclosed in Jpn. Pat. Appln. KOKAI Publication No. 2001-320668, inwhich editing data is prohibited or data are recorded by encryption tokeep confidential private information contained in a digital camera theuse of which is shared by many persons, and Jpn. Pat. Appln. KOKAIPublication No. 2002-77700 employing measures (child lock) forprotection from a malfunction which otherwise might be caused by thetampering by children.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0010] According to one aspect of this invention, there is provided anelectronic camera configured to execute recording and reproduction of animage and a voice, in which information not desired to be disclosed tounspecified many persons such as private information and informationallowed to be disclosed to unspecified many persons are discriminatedfrom each other in the recording operation, and the information notdesired to be disclosed cannot be reproduced unless a predeterminedoperation is performed.

[0011] According to another aspect of the invention, there is providedan electronic camera in which unnecessary images are not displayed on adisplay unit in circulation among unspecified many persons for humancommunication or information exchange using the reproduction functionsof the camera to prevent complication of information and to protectprivate information.

[0012] A first feature of the invention is to provide an electroniccamera comprising:

[0013] an imaging unit;

[0014] an image reproduction monitor;

[0015] an information input unit which adds private information at thetime of photographing an image; and

[0016] a prohibition unit which prohibits the reproduction of an imageon the image reproduction monitor in accordance with the privateinformation.

[0017] A second feature of the invention is to provide an electroniccamera comprising:

[0018] an imaging unit;

[0019] a display unit having a first image recording area and a secondimage recording area different from the first image recording area, thedisplay unit displaying the image recorded in the first image recordingarea in priority;

[0020] a judgment unit which judges the private imaging operation at thetime of imaging operation; and

[0021] a recording control unit which records information in the secondimage recording area in accordance with the judgment of the privateimaging operation.

[0022] A third feature of the invention is to provide an electroniccamera configured to execute recording and reproducing an image and avoice, comprising:

[0023] a selecting unit which adds private information at the time ofrecording, and selects one of a mode for reproducing only the image anda mode for reproducing both the image and the voice at the time ofreproduction in accordance with the private information.

[0024] A fourth feature of the invention is to provide an electroniccamera comprising:

[0025] an imaging unit;

[0026] an image recording unit;

[0027] an image reproduction monitor;

[0028] a designation switch which designates a recorded image beingreproduced on the image reproduction monitor; and

[0029] a control unit which sets recorded images other than thedesignated reproduced image into the display prohibition state and thusprohibits the display thereof.

[0030] A fifth feature of the invention is to provide an informationdevice comprising:

[0031] an information input unit;

[0032] an information recording unit; and

[0033] an information reproduction unit,

[0034] wherein the information recorded in the information recordingunit is reproduced by the information reproduction unit in such a mannerthat the input of arbitrary information from the information input unitis prompted, and the degree of coincidence between the input informationand a predetermined pattern is determined, and in the case where thedegree of coincidence is high, the recorded information is reproduced.

[0035] A sixth feature of the invention is to provide a portableinformation apparatus comprising:

[0036] an input unit which inputs information including at leastselected one of an image and a voice;

[0037] a storage unit which digitally stores the input information innonvolatile form;

[0038] a reproduction unit which reproduces the information digitallystored;

[0039] a specifying unit which specifies at least one of the digitalinformation stored in the storage unit; and

[0040] a control unit which performs the control operation to reproduceby the reproduction unit only the digital information specified by thespecifying unit.

[0041] Advantages of the invention will be set forth in the descriptionwhich follows, and in part will be obvious from the description, or maybe learned by practice of the invention. Advantages of the invention maybe realized and obtained by means of the instrumentalities andcombinations particularly pointed out hereinafter.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING

[0042] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in andconstitute a part of the specification, illustrate embodiments of theinvention, and together with the general description given above and thedetailed description of the embodiments given below, serve to explainthe principles of the invention.

[0043]FIGS. 1A to 1D are diagrams for explaining an example of privateimages constituting the feature of the invention, in which FIG. 1A showsan example of a scene as a private image, FIG. 1B shows an example ofimages displayed as an index on a monitor of an electronic camera, FIG.1C shows an example of images including private images displayed as anindex on the monitor of the electronic camera, and FIG. 1D shows anexample in which predetermined pixels are enlarged.

[0044]FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a circuit configuration of adigital camera to which an electronic camera according to a firstembodiment of the invention is applied.

[0045]FIGS. 3A and 3B show an external configuration of the cameraaccording to the first embodiment of the invention, in which FIG. 3A isa perspective view of the front surface and FIG. 3B is a perspectiveview of the back surface.

[0046]FIG. 4 is a flowchart for explaining the operation sequence of thecamera in imaging operation according to the first embodiment of theinvention.

[0047]FIG. 5 is a flowchart for explaining an example of the video andaudio reproducing operation in which an image of private information istreated before reproduction without reproducing a voice.

[0048]FIG. 6 is a flowchart for explaining another example of the videoand audio reproducing operation in which the image of privateinformation is treated before reproduction without reproducing thevoice.

[0049]FIG. 7 is a flowchart for explaining still another example of thevideo and audio reproducing operation in which the image of privateinformation is treated before reproduction without reproducing thevoice.

[0050]FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of reproducing the voicethrough an earphone mounted on the camera body for selecting a privateimage.

[0051]FIG. 9 is a flowchart for explaining an example of the operationfor reproducing private information with an earphone mounted on thecamera body.

[0052]FIG. 10 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of determiningprivate information.

[0053]FIGS. 11A to 11C are diagrams for explaining the setting of a modefor automatically determining private information.

[0054]FIG. 12 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of setting themode of automatic determination of private information.

[0055]FIG. 13 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of designatinga private image at the time of reproduction after the image isphotographed.

[0056]FIG. 14 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of recording aprivate image in an entirely different area of the recording unit.

[0057]FIG. 15A is a diagram showing an example of a user photographingan image of an object,

[0058]FIG. 15B is a diagram showing an example of the user watching themonitor,

[0059]FIG. 15C is a diagram showing an example of display on themonitor, and

[0060]FIG. 15D is a diagram showing an example of a private imagedisplayed on the monitor.

[0061]FIG. 16 is a flowchart for explaining the control operation of adigital camera according to a second embodiment of the invention.

[0062]FIG. 17 is a diagram for explaining a subroutine for the detailedoperation of the “reproduction ending process” in step S123 of theflowchart of FIG. 16.

[0063]FIGS. 18A to 18D are diagrams for explaining the change in thedisplay mode.

[0064]FIG. 19 is a flowchart for explaining the detailed operation ofchanging the display mode.

[0065]FIG. 20 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of changingthe display mode of an electronic camera according to a third embodimentof the invention.

[0066]FIGS. 21A and 21B are diagrams for explaining an electronic cameraaccording to a fourth embodiment of the invention.

[0067]FIG. 22 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of changingthe display mode of the electronic camera according to the fourthembodiment of the invention.

[0068]FIGS. 23A and 23B are diagrams for explaining the operation ofdetermining a zoom position and a distance according to the fourthembodiment of the invention.

[0069]FIGS. 24A to 24C are diagrams for explaining an electronic cameraaccording to a fifth embodiment of the invention.

[0070]FIG. 25 is a flowchart for explaining the control operation of anelectronic camera according to the fifth embodiment of the invention.

[0071]FIGS. 26A and 26B are diagrams for explaining an electronic cameraaccording to a sixth embodiment of the invention.

[0072]FIG. 27 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of anelectronic camera in the private mode according to the sixth embodimentof the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0073] Embodiments of the invention will be explained below withreference to the accompanying drawings.

[0074] First, the protection of private images and voices constitutingthe features of the invention is explained.

[0075] With the extension of ownership of the digital camera, theoperation of fetching an image into a personal computer or the like hasbeen simplified more and more. There are now increasingly many chancesof taking a picture attached to a business report with a digital cameraon a business trip or the like, or as shown in FIG. 1A, fosteringfriendship with colleagues using the digital camera at a socialgathering held after the closing hour.

[0076] Under the circumstances, many persons have come to enjoyphotographed images by reproducing them and circulating the digitalcamera on many occasions by taking advantage of its feature that eachphotographed image can be viewed in situ.

[0077] However, a private image not related to the business which may bestored in the memory is also often exposed undesirably to the eyes ofunspecified many persons. In what is called indexed display of theimages recorded in the respective frames, as shown in FIG. 1B, forexample, private images are also reproduced.

[0078] According to this invention, as shown in FIG. 1C, private imagesare rendered invisible and protected from the eyes of other persons as“private”. An attempt to view these private images is defeated byenlarging predetermined pixels to recognizable degree as shown in FIG.1D, or by rendering totally impossible to reproduce private images, orby totally preventing private images from being displayed on an index.

[0079] On the other hand, a camera which can record the voice as well asthe image has come to be widely used in recent years. The voice, unlikethe image, is exposed also to persons not facing the camera. The cameraaccording to the invention, therefore, is designed not to reproduceprivate voices or to reduce the sound level in consideration of theabove problem.

[0080]FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a digitalcamera applicable as an electronic camera according to a firstembodiment of the invention.

[0081] In FIG. 2, light fluxes of an image photographed from an object10 enter an imaging device (image pickup device) 14 such as a CCD or aCMOS image sensor through an imaging lens 12, and is converted into anelectrical signal. The electrical signal converted by the imaging device14 is supplied to an image processing unit 18 through an A/D converter16. The output of the image processing unit 18 is supplied to arecording unit 20 on the one hand and to an electronic display 26 in afinder eye piece 28 and a LCD panel 24 on the back of the camera througha display control unit 22 on the other hand.

[0082] A CPU 32 provides operation control means for controlling thewhole camera, and is configured of a one-chip microcomputer and thelike. The CPU 32 includes the image processing unit 18, the recordingunit 20, the display control unit 22 described above, a focusing unit34, a determining unit 36, an image treatment unit 38, a calendar unit40, a flash circuit 42 and a reproducing circuit 44. Further, the CPU 32includes switches 32 b, 32 c for photographing a private imageconstituting the feature of the invention, in addition to a releaseswitch 32 a for picking up an image.

[0083] The focusing unit 34 is constituted of an actuator or the likefor controlling the focusing operation of the imaging lens 12. Thedetermining unit 36 is for determining the operation of the camera. Theimage treatment unit 38 is for treating the image processed in the imageprocessing unit 18, for example, by adding text data at the time ofdisplay on the LCD panel 24. Further, the calendar unit 40 is forupdating and managing information such as the date.

[0084] The flash circuit 42 is for controlling the illumination of aflash light emitting unit 46 for complementing the insufficient exposureunder the control of the CPU 32. A compression unit 52 is forcompressing an audio input from a microphone 48 and converted by an A/Dconverter 50, in such a manner as to be recordable in the recording unit20 with a small recording capacity. Further, the reproducing circuit 44is for amplifying the voice recorded in the recording unit 20 andoutputting it from a speaker 54.

[0085]FIGS. 3A and 3B show an example of the external appearance of thecamera according to the same embodiment. FIG. 3A is a perspective viewof the front side and FIG. 3B is a perspective view of the back side ofthe camera.

[0086] A camera body 60 has, on the front side thereof the imaging lens12, the voice input microphone 48 and the flash light emitting unit 46.The release switch (release button) 32 a for photographing an image isarranged on the upper surface of the camera body 60.

[0087] The switches 32 b, 32 c for photographing a private imageconstituting the features of the invention are arranged on the back sideof the camera body 60, in addition to the finder eye piece 28, the backLCD panel 24 and the speaker 54. The switch 32 c, as shown in FIG. 30B,may be arranged to be invisible unless a cover 60 a arranged openablyalong the direction of arrow A on a part of the exterior of the camerabody 60 is opened.

[0088] At the time of picking up an image with the digital camera havingthis configuration, the image of the object 10 enters the imaging device14 by way of the imaging lens 12 and is converted into an electricalsignal. The electrical signal thus converted is converted into a digitalsignal by the A/D converter 16, and then input to the image processingunit 18. This image processing unit 18 performs such an operation ascolor correction and edge emphasis, and the information, after beingcompressed, is recorded in the recording unit 20. The recordedinformation is displayed on the LCD panel 24 or the electronic display26 through the display control unit 22. As a result, the user canobserve the image by his own eyes 30.

[0089] Also, in this camera, the input operation (operating conditions)of the switches 32 a, 32 b, 32 c is detected by the CPU 32, so that theimaging sequence and the various imaging modes are set.

[0090] Further, the focusing control operation of the imaging lens 12 isperformed by the CPU 32 through the focusing unit 34 by use of part ofthe image processing information. Also, in order to complement theinsufficient exposure, the illumination of the flash light emitting unit42 is controlled by the CPU 32 through the flash circuit 42.

[0091] Similarly, the voice information input by way of the microphone48, like the image, is A/D converted by the A/D converter 50 andcompressed by the reduction unit 52 into a form recordable in therecording unit 20.

[0092] The image and the voice thus recorded are read as predetermineddata from the recording unit 20 in the case where the CPU 32 determinesthat the user camera operation is in the reproduction mode. The image isthen displayed on the LCD panel 24 or the electronic display 26 throughthe display control unit 22. The voice, on the other hand, is adapted tobe reproduced from the speaker 54 through the reproducing circuit 44.

[0093] The image processing unit 18 has the image treatment unit 38which can display a treated image or text data or the like in place ofan image. The CPU 32 can activate the image processing unit 18 includingthe image treatment unit 38 by use of the information of the calendarunit 40 for updating and managing the information such as the date.

[0094] The recording unit 20 may be configured to include two differentmemory areas 20 a, 20 b. By this design, the private image and thenormal image may be recorded in different memory areas and the contentsof the memory area for the normal image may be displayed in priority.According to this method, it is easy for the private images not to bedisplayed in the index as shown in FIG. 1B. In other words, the contentsof only one of the memory areas are read at the time of reproduction.

[0095] Also, as shown in FIG. 1C, the images including private imagesmay be displayed in chronological order in an index to facilitate theimage management by the user. In such a case, the word “private” isdisplayed in each private image section of the index, or as shown inFIG. 1D, the private image is uniformly displayed in a wide range withpredetermined pixel signals by the functions of the image treatment unit38.

[0096]FIG. 4 is a flowchart for explaining the sequence of the imagingoperation of the camera having the aforementioned configuration. Thissequence is controlled by the CPU 32 according to a program incorporatedtherein.

[0097] First, in step S1, it is determined whether the main switch ofthe camera is turned on or not. This main switch is represented by theswitch 32 b described above, etc. Once the main switch is turned on, therecording operation is started in step S2.

[0098] It is determined in step S3 whether the release button 32 a isdepressed or not. When the release button 32 a is not depressed, theprocess proceeds to step S4 to erase the information recorded, forexample, 30 seconds ago. This is by reason of the fact that if therecording operation is continued after turning on the main switch, therecording capacity of the memory would be depleted. Therefore, the voicerecorded 30 seconds ago or more is erased and overwritten. Thereafter,the process proceeds to step S1.

[0099] When the release button 32 a is depressed in step S3, on theother hand, the imaging sequence in and after step S5 is executed.

[0100] Specifically, in step S5, the focusing operation is carried out,followed by step S6 in which the imaging process is executed. After theimaging operation, the sound recording operation is completed in step S7for correspondence with the image. Nevertheless, the sound recordingoperation may be continued for some time.

[0101] In step S4, the voice recorded 30 seconds ago or more is erasedand overwritten so as to prevent the storage capacity of the memory frombeing depleted, as explained above. In step S8, however, the image andthe audio information obtained in steps S2 to S7 are compressed.

[0102] Then, in step S9, it is determined whether the imaging operationis private or not. When the imaging operation is not private, theprocess proceeds to step S10, where the information is recorded in afirst area (for example, the memory area 20 a) in the recording unit 20.

[0103] When it is determined that the imaging operation is private instep S9, on the other hand, the process proceeds to step S11 for addingthe information indicating privacy. In this case, the password of theimaging person or the recording date or time may be added. Then, in stepS12, the information is recorded in a second area (for example, thememory area 20 b) in the recording unit 20.

[0104] Whether the imaging operation is private or not may alternativelybe determined by the mode setting operation of the switch 32 c or thelike of the camera body 60. As another alternative, a predeterminedmode-setting operation may be performed at the time of imaging, asdescribed later.

[0105] The reproduction of the information thus obtained is explainedwith reference to the flowcharts shown in FIGS. 5 to 7.

[0106]FIG. 5 is a flowchart for explaining the operation performed inthe case where the image of private information is treated andreproduced, while the voice is not reproduced. This is to preventunspecified many persons in the train or the like from being troubled bysimultaneous voice reproduction.

[0107] First, in step S21, the operation in the reproduction mode isdetermined. Then, in step S22, the image to be reproduced is selected(the image screen in the previous session is automatically selected orthe image is selected from the index displayed as shown in FIG. 1C).

[0108] In step S23, it is determined whether the image is private ornot. When the image contains a private image, it is determined in stepS24 whether a predetermined operation has been performed or not.

[0109] When it is determined in step S23 that no private image iscontained or when a predetermined operation is performed in step S24,the process proceeds to step S25 for reproducing the voice. Thereafter,the process proceeds to step S27.

[0110] When it is determined that a private image is contained in stepS23 and a predetermined operation is not performed in step S24, on theother hand, the process proceeds to step S26 where the image is treatedappropriately.

[0111] When a predetermined operation is not performed in step S24,neither the voice nor the image is reproduced correctly. In other words,only the image treated in step S26 is displayed. The treated image, asshown in FIG. 1C, may be only text information as shown in a part of themonitor screen, or in an unidentifiable state as shown in FIG. 1D.

[0112] Next, in step S27, the image is reproduced and displayed. Thevoice is completely reproduced by the end of information, while theimage continues to be displayed for a predetermined length of time. Fromstep S28, the process proceeds to step S21 before the lapse of apredetermined length of time, and the process of steps S21 to S28 isrepeated. Upon the lapse of the predetermined length of time, thesequence is terminated.

[0113] In place of the sequence shown in FIG. 5, the reproductionprogram shown in FIG. 6 may be employed.

[0114] In this case, the reproduction mode is determined in step S31first of all. Upon entrance of the reproduction mode, only the image inthe first recording area shown as the memory area 20 a in the recordingunit 20 is reproduced in the next step S32. Then, in step S33, it isdetermined whether a predetermined operation has been performed or not.

[0115] When a predetermined operation has been performed, the processproceeds to step S34, where the image in the second recording area shownas the memory area 20 b in the recording unit 20 is reproduced. Unless apredetermined operation is performed in step S33, on the other hand, theprocess skips step S34 so as not to reproduce the image from the secondrecording area. This is effective for total prohibition of displayingthe private images as shown in FIG. 1B.

[0116] Before the lapse of a predetermined length of time in step S35,the process proceeds to step S31, so that the process of steps S31 toS35 is repeated. Upon the lapse of the predetermined length of time,this sequence is terminated.

[0117] The first and second areas described above correspond to stepsS10 and S12, respectively, in the flowchart of FIG. 4.

[0118] Further, the reproduction program as shown in FIG. 7 may be used.

[0119] Specifically, it is determined in step S41 whether thereproduction mode prevails or not. Once the reproduction mode isentered, the part to be displayed is switched in accordance with theselected image in the next step S42.

[0120] It is determined in step S43 whether the image is private or not.When the selected image is not private, the process proceeds to stepS44, while when the image is private, the process proceeds to step S46.

[0121] In step S44, the image is displayed and reproduced on the LCDpanel 24 on the back of the camera body 60 to allow many persons toenjoy the image. In step S45, the voice is also reproduced in normalvolume.

[0122] The image in the private recording area or the image with privateinformation added thereto is displayed only on the electronic display 26in the finder eye piece 28 in step S46. As a result, the image can bechecked only in the camera finder, and therefore prevented from beingexposed to the eyes of many persons on the large-sized monitor on theback of the camera.

[0123] In the next step S47, the voice is also reproduced in a smallvolume so as not to be audible to many persons.

[0124] Before the lapse of a predetermined length of time in step S48,the process is passed from step S48 to step S41, so that the process ofsteps S41 to S48 is repeated. Upon the lapse of the predetermined lengthof time, this sequence is terminated.

[0125] At the time of selecting a private image, the reproductionoperation may be performed through the earphone instead of reducing thesound volume. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 8, an earphone 64 ismounted on an earphone jack 62 of the camera body 60. Only in thisstate, the private information can be reproduced to the user 66.

[0126] In this case, the operation is performed in accordance with thesequence shown in FIG. 9.

[0127] Specifically, it is determined in step S51 whether theinformation is private or not. When the information is not private, itis normally reproduced in step S53. When it is determined in step S51that the information is private, on the other hand, the process proceedsto step S52.

[0128] In step S52, it is determined whether the earphone 64 is mountedon the earphone jack 62 of the camera body 60. When the earphone 64 isso mounted, the process proceeds to step S53 where the reproduction ispossible. When the earphone 64 is not so mounted, on the other hand,this sequence is terminated without reproduction.

[0129] As explained above, the aforementioned reproduction method canprovide a camera by which ordinary information can be enjoyed by manypersons while private information cannot be easily reproduced.

[0130] The function of determining whether given information is privateor not can be added by the CPU 32 executing the operation sequence asshown in FIG. 10, for example.

[0131] Specifically, first, it is determined in step S61 whether theimaging operation has been started or not. When the imaging operation isstarted, the process proceeds to step S62. Otherwise, the processproceeds to step S67.

[0132] It is determined in step S62 whether the imaging operation isprivate or not. This is determined, for example, from whether theprivate switch (the switch 32 b, for example, shown in FIGS. 1 and 3)mounted on the camera has been depressed or not. When the private switch32 b is not depressed, the process proceeds to step S63 where normalimaging sequence is executed. Thereafter, the main routine is left.

[0133] When the private switch 32 b is depressed, on the other hand, theprocess proceeds to step S64 thereby making it possible to photograph animage with private information. Thereafter, the imaging operation isperformed in step S65. In step S66, the private imaging mode is canceledafter one imaging session. Thus, the private information can be obtainedonly when required.

[0134] When it is determined in step S61 that the imaging mode is notprevailing, it is determined in step S67 whether the camera is set in amode or not. When the camera is not set to any mode, the process returnsto step S68 to determine whether the mode is canceled or not.

[0135] It is determined in step S68 whether the mode is canceled or not.When the mode is not canceled, the process leaves the main routine. Whenthe mode is canceled, on the other hand, the process proceeds to stepS69 for restoring the normal mode, after which the process leaves themain routine.

[0136] By eliminating the need of depressing the switch each time ofimaging operation, the information produced by a series of imagingoperation can be privatized. The private imaging mode can beincorporated as one mode using the switch 32 c or the like arranged onthe inside of the cover of the camera body 60.

[0137] Once the mode is set in step S67, the process proceeds to stepS70 for determining whether or not the flash imaging mode is involved toselect the private imaging mode. When the flash imaging mode prevails,the process proceeds to step S71, where the forcible illumination mode(FILL-IN), the off mode, the red eye prevention mode or any other one ofvarious modes for flash illumination is set, after which the processleaves the main routine.

[0138] When the flash imaging mode is not prevailing, on the other hand,the process proceeds to step S72 for determining whether the self-timermode is prevailing or not. When the self-timer mode is prevailing, theprocess proceeds to step S73 for setting the mode for using theself-timer or the remote controller.

[0139] When the self-timer mode is not prevailing in step S72, theprocess proceeds to step S74 for determining whether the date settingmode prevails or not. When the date setting mode is not prevailing, theprocess proceeds to step S75 for setting the information such as thecorresponding date. Thereafter, the process leaves the main routine.

[0140] When the date setting mode is not prevailing, the processproceeds to step S76, where it is determined whether the private imagingmode prevails or not. When no private imaging mode prevails, the processleaves the main routine. When the private imaging mode prevails, on theother hand, the process proceeds to step S77.

[0141] In step S77, it is determined whether the private imagingoperation is set as related to the date information. In the case wherethe private imaging operation is set as related to the date information,the process proceeds to step S78, in which a predetermined date andtime, time zone, etc. can be selected as related to the date informationof the date function of the calendar unit 40, for example. As a result,the image recorded in the particular time zone can be set as a privateimage. Thereafter, the main routine is left.

[0142] When the imaging operation is not related to the date informationin step S77, on the other hand, it is determined in step S79 whether theprivate imaging operation is set in the automatic mode or not. Unlessset in automatic mode, the main routine is left, while when the privateimaging operation is set in automatic mode, the process proceeds to stepS80. In this case, the main routine is left also after the automaticmode is set.

[0143] Next, the operation of setting the mode for automatic determiningprivate information is explained with reference to FIGS. 11A to 11C andFIG. 12.

[0144] As shown in FIGS. 11A and 11B, for example, the image of a personphotographed in portrait form enlarged to a predetermined size(magnification) or more is generally considered a private photo. Thephoto enjoyed by many persons is that of a scene, for example, shown inFIG. 1A and often contains a plurality of persons.

[0145] Also, as shown in FIG. 1C, a large close-up photo of a specificmachine, equipment or a printed matter is frequently used for business.This is distinguished as a “macrograph”.

[0146]FIG. 12 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of setting themode for automatically determining a private image taking theaforementioned matter into consideration.

[0147] Specifically, in steps S91 and S92, the distance L of an objectat the time of photographing the image thereof and the focal length f ofthe imaging lens are taken into consideration. In step S93, L/f iscalculated from the distance L of the object and the focal length f, andcompared with a predetermined ratio “30”. When L/f is not smaller thanthe predetermined ratio, the photo is determined as private and theprocess proceeds to step S94. When the value L/f is smaller than thepredetermined ratio, on the other hand, the process proceeds to stepS97.

[0148] In step S97, it is determined whether the photo is a macrographor not. When the photo is a macrograph, the main routine is left, whilewhen the photo is not a macrograph, on the other hand, the processproceeds to step S98. In step S98, the operation is set for a privatephoto and the main routine is left.

[0149] As another example, a photo is most probably a private one in thecase where the analysis of the shape of the person imaged in the photoor the voice recorded shows that only one person is involved.

[0150] In step S94, therefore, it is determined whether the object to beimaged is a single person or not. When the object of imaging operationis a single person, it is determined as a private photo and the processproceeds to step S98.

[0151] When no single person is involved, on the other hand, it isdetermined in the next step S95 whether the photo is an image of alandscape or not. The landscape photo may also be a private photo withhigh probability, which can be determined from the distance of theobject. Thus, a landscape photo is regarded as a private one, and theprocess proceeds to step S98.

[0152] When it is determined that a photo is not that of a landscape instep S95, it is determined in step S96 whether the date when the imageis photographed is Sunday or not. The photo taken on Sunday is oftenprivate information, and therefore determined as private. In the casewhere the date when the image is photographed is Sunday, therefore, theprocess proceeds to step S98 for setting the mode for processing aprivate photo.

[0153] As described above, once a camera specification is selected toautomatically determine given information meeting predeterminedconditions as private, then, without any mode setting operation eachtime, the information that can be enjoyed by many persons and theinformation to be enjoyed personally are discriminated automaticallyfrom each other.

[0154] The foregoing embodiments refer to a case in which the privatemode is selected at the time of photographing an image. Alternatively, acamera specification may be selected to designate a private image at thetime of reproduction after imaging operation. In that case, theoperation sequence shown in FIG. 13 is built in the program of the CPU32.

[0155] Specifically, when the reproduction mode is selected in stepS101, a specific image is selected by the user in the next step S102. Instep S103, it is determined whether the selected image is private ornot.

[0156] Once an image is designated as private, i.e. a predeterminedcamera operation is performed, the process proceeds to step S104 foradding the private information. At the same time, the image immediatelyceases to be displayed in step S105. The camera with this operationcompleted can be circulated safely among other persons to show otherthan the private image.

[0157] When no image is designated as private in step S103, the processproceeds to step S105, so that the process of steps S101 to S106 isrepeated until the lapse of a predetermined length of time. Upon thelapse of the predetermined length of time, the process proceeds to stepS105 where the display is terminated.

[0158] Further, in the case where the selected camera specification issuch that a private image is recorded in an entirely different area ofthe recording unit, the program of the operation sequence shown in FIG.14 is executed.

[0159] Specifically, first in step S111, it is determined whether thereproduction mode prevails or not. When the reproduction mode prevails,a desired image is selected by the user in step S112. It is determinedin step S113 whether the selected image is designated as private or not.

[0160] When it is determined that the image is designated as private,i.e. a predetermined camera operation is designated to be performed, theprocess proceeds to step S114, where the predetermined camera operationis performed for the selectively designated image. In this way, theimage that has so far been stored in the first recording area istransferred to the second area for privacy protection. Then, in stepS115, the data in the first area is erased. As a result, the particularimage is converted to data invisible from others, and the display isended in step S116.

[0161] When no image is designated as private in step S113, the processproceeds to step S117, and the process of steps S111 to S117 is repeateduntil the lapse of a predetermined length of time. Once thepredetermined length of time is passed, the process proceeds to stepS116 to end the display.

[0162] In viewing a private image, the program of the CPU 32 is designedto make it possible to display the image by inputting a predeterminedpassword as in the personal computer or by designating a predeterminednumerical value using a date indication counter.

[0163] As described above, according to the first embodiment, there isprovided an electronic camera configured to execute recording andreproducing video and audio information, in which private information orthe like of which the disclosure to unspecified many persons is notdesired and information which may be safely disclosed to many personsare recorded discriminately from each other, and information of whichthe disclosure is not desired cannot be reproduced without performing apredetermined operation. Thus, information other than privateinformation can be reproduced and enjoyed by many persons while at thesame time protecting the private information.

[0164] Next, a second embodiment of the invention is explained.

[0165] First, the display and the protection of a private image in adigital camera are described.

[0166] The digital camera, with its advantage that a photo image can beviewed immediately after being taken, has come to play an increasinglyimportant role on many occasions including parties and meetings. On theother hand, the use of a digital camera having the built-in recordingand reproduction functions is spreading. On such occasions, assume thatirrelevant information are mixed in a built-in memory. The image and thevoice of the particular information may be inconveniently reproduced andexposed to unspecified many persons.

[0167] Even in such a situation, according to the invention, theinformation other than pre-selected images and voices are protected bymaking it impossible to reproduce the particular information without apredetermined operation.

[0168] For example, consider a situation as shown in FIG. 15A in which auser 70 takes a picture of an object 74 at a gathering of businesscolleagues using a camera 72. As shown in FIG. 15B, the person (object)74 whose picture is taken often enjoys the image on a monitor 72 a onthe back of the camera, which image is displayed on the monitor 72 a,for example, as shown in FIG. 15C.

[0169] In such a case, the user 70 may feel ashamed in the event that apicture taken on a different occasion by the user as a hobby happens tobe displayed on the monitor 72 a as shown in FIG. 15D. Or the user, forfear of such a happening, may hesitate to show the image of theparticular colleague to others, thereby inconveniently limiting theenjoyable use of the digital camera. As a result, the user cannot makethe most of the features of the product.

[0170] A configuration of the digital camera according to the secondembodiment of the invention is shown in the block diagram of FIG. 2, andthe external appearance of the camera is shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B. Thesediagrams are identical to the corresponding diagrams of the firstembodiment.

[0171] Specifically, the configuration of the camera according to thesecond embodiment is identical to the configuration shown in the blockdiagram of FIG. 2, and the external appearance is identical to thatshown in FIGS. 3A and 3B. Therefore, the same component parts aredesignated by the same reference numerals, respectively and are neithershown nor described. Only different parts of the configuration and theoperation are described below.

[0172] With reference to the flowchart of FIG. 16, the control operationfor the digital camera according to the second embodiment of theinvention is described.

[0173] First, in steps S121 and S122, the operation of the releaseswitch (release button) 32 a or a mode select button is detected by theCPU 32. Specifically, when it is determined in step S121 that theimaging mode or the recording mode prevails, the process is transferredto step S134 for photographing an image or recording the sound.

[0174] The imaging operation or the sound recording operation isfollowed by step S135 for determining whether the private mode isselected by the mode selecting process or not. When the private mode isselected, the process proceeds to step S136, and the data is recorded inthe memory area 20 a different from the memory areas for other images orvoice data. When no private mode is selected in step S135, on the otherhand, the process proceeds to step S137 for recording the data in theordinary memory area 20 b.

[0175] When the image pickup mode or the sound recording mode is not setin step S121, it is determined in step S122 whether the reproductionmode is involved or not. When no reproduction mode is set, the processproceeds to step S123, and the reproduction, if under way, is suspendedby the reproduction ending process. The reproduction ending process isdescribed in detail later.

[0176] In step S124, the mode selecting process is executed based on theinput state of the camera operating switch. In addition to the privatemode, the modes available include the forcible illumination orprohibition of the flash, the operation of the self-timer, etc., whichcan be selected arbitrarily by the user according the ongoing scene.

[0177] When the reproduction button of the camera operating switches isdepressed in steps S121 and S122, the reproduction mode is determined,and the process proceeds to step S125. In step S125, the last imagepicked up is displayed in priority on the LCD panel 24 on the back ofthe camera.

[0178] In step S126, the state of the lock button of the cameraoperating switches is determined. Once the lock button is depressed, theimages other than the one on display become invisible. In other words,the process proceeds to step S127 and the display time is set to 5minutes without executing the process of step S128 for determiningwhether the image is changed or not. This image change determiningprocess is described later.

[0179] When no lock operation is performed in step S126, it isdetermined in step S128 whether the image is changed or not. When noimage is changed, the process proceeds to step S130, while when theimage is changed, the image on display is switched by the cameraoperation of the user. In the process, in order to prevent the imagesdesignated as private from being easily displayed, the ordinary imagedata stored in the memory 20 b are sequentially displayed on last-infirst-out basis. In the next step S130, the image is displayed for onlyone minute to save energy.

[0180] In step S131, the display mode is changed in accordance with theimage change operation designated by the user. In this process, theimage is enlarged, rotated, or otherwise changed. Then, in step S132, itis determined whether the display time has elapsed or not. When thepredetermined display time has elapsed, the process proceeds to stepS133 to execute the display ending process thereby terminating thissequence.

[0181] As described above, the image lock function makes it possible tocirculate the camera among other persons without showing other than theimages that the user 70 desires to show in such a situation as shown inFIGS. 15A and 15B. In addition, the display time on the LCD panel islengthened to five minutes in the lock mode, and therefore an increasednumber of persons can enjoy the images. When the image is not locked, onthe other hand, the time before the display ends is set at one minutethereby to save the energy consumed by image display.

[0182] In the case where a detailed review of the image is desired uponexpiry of the energy-saving display time in the reproduction mode, thecommon practice is to depress the reproduction button. Generally,therefore, the reproduction is resumed as specified in steps S146 andS147 in the flowchart of FIG. 17 (described later).

[0183] In the lock mode, however, as shown in FIG. 15B, persons otherthan the user who want to view the image and are often unaccustomed tothe camera may be unable to immediately identify the reproduction modebutton. In view of this, the camera is devised to resume the displayupon depression of any operating button.

[0184]FIG. 17 is a diagram for explaining the detailed operation of asubroutine of the “reproduction ending process” in step S123 of theflowchart shown in FIG. 16 described above.

[0185] Once this subroutine is started, it is determined first in stepS141 whether the lock mode prevails or not. When the lock mode prevails,the process proceeds to steps 142 to S144 for determining whether anyone of the release button, the mode button and the reproduction buttonhas been operated or not.

[0186] No matter which of the release button, the mode button and thereproduction button is depressed in steps S142 to S144, the processproceeds to step S145 to resume or lengthen the reproducing operation.Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S122 in the flowchart of FIG.16.

[0187] In the case where none of the release button, the mode button andthe reproduction button is depressed in steps S142 to S144, on the otherhand, step S145 is skipped and the process proceeds to step S122 in theflowchart of FIG. 16. As a result, the release operation becomesimpossible, so that no person other than the user can photograph animage and waste the memory capacity.

[0188] When it is determined in step S141 that a mode other than thelock mode prevails, the process proceeds to step S146 to determinewhether the reproduction button is operated again or not. When only thereproduction button is operated again, the process proceeds to step S147to restart reproduction and the main subroutine is left. When thereproduction button is not operated again, on the other hand, step S147is skipped and the main subroutine is left. As a result, the processreturns to step S121 in the flowchart of FIG. 16, so that the imagepickup operation can be resumed immediately by depressing the releasebutton, and no shutter chance is missed.

[0189] This display lock mode is ended by cancellation through the “modeselect” process in step S124 of the flowchart shown in FIG. 16.

[0190] In changing the display mode in step S131 in the flowchart ofFIG. 16, on the other hand, the process shown in FIGS. 18A to 18D isexecuted.

[0191] Specifically, as shown in FIG. 18A, a pair of switches 32 d and apair of switches 32 e operable while watching the monitor 24 on the backof the camera 60 are arranged also on the back of the camera 60. Byoperating the switches 32 d, as shown in FIGS. 18B and 18C, the imagecan be displayed at a position rotated counterclockwise or clockwise.

[0192] Further, by operating the other pair of switches 32 e, as shownin FIG. 18D, the display control operation including the enlargeddisplay and the restoration to the original size becomes possible.

[0193] This display switching control operation is performed by the CPU32 through the display control unit 22. This function is applicable tothe unlocking operation in a similar manner to the concept of aduplicate key of the safety box.

[0194]FIG. 19 is a flowchart for explaining the detailed operation ofchanging the display mode.

[0195] The description is made below by referring to an image displaychange button corresponding to the switches 32 d, 32 e described above.

[0196] Once the display mode change routine is started, the first stepis to stand by until the change button is turned on in step S151. Thetuning on of the change button is followed by step S152 in which thecounter is reset.

[0197] Then, in step S153, it is determined whether the screen is to berotated counterclockwise or not. When the screen is to be rotatedcounterclockwise, the process proceeds to step S154, and the imageswitching control operation is performed to rotate the screencounterclockwise. In the next step S155, the number of rotations iscounted. In similar fashion, it is determined in step S156 whether thescreen is to be rotated clockwise or not. When the screen is to berotated clockwise, the process proceeds to step S157 where the imageswitching control operation is performed to rotate the screen clockwise,followed by step S158 for counting the number of rotations.

[0198] Further, in step S159, it is determined whether the screen is tobe enlarged or not. When the screen is to be enlarged, the processproceeds to step S160 for the switching control operation to display thescreen in enlarged form. In the next step S161, the number of times thescreen is enlarged is counted. In similar fashion, in step S162, it isdetermined whether the screen is to be reduced or not. When it isdetermined that the screen is to be reduced, the process proceeds tostep S163 for the switching control operation to display the screen inreduced form, followed by step S164 to count the number of times thescreen is reduced.

[0199] In step S165, it is determined whether the count coincides withthe count preset by the user or not. When the count coincides with thepreset count, the process proceeds to step S166 to display the unlockoperation. When the count fails to coincide with the preset count, onthe other hand, the process proceeds to step S169. The count can bereset beforehand in step S152.

[0200] When the user agrees to the unlock operation displayed in stepS166, the release switch is operated in step S167. In this case, theprocess proceeds to step S168 where the unlock operation is performed.

[0201] In addition to clockwise and counterclockwise rotations describedabove, the functions of enlarging and reducing the screen may be used atthe same time. In this case, the enlarging or reducing operation isdetermined in steps S159 and S162, and in accordance with thisdetermination, the switching operation is performed in steps S160 andS163, and the number of times this operation is performed is counted insteps S161 and S164.

[0202] The time consumed by this series of operation is monitored instep S169, and unless this operation is completed within a predeterminedlength of time, the process proceeds to step S170 where the counter isreset thereby to invalidate the past operation. Thus, an attempt by anunspecified user other than the camera owner to unlock cannot easilysucceed.

[0203] The number of times the count is set in step S165 of theflowchart shown in FIG. 19 may be predetermined for each camera andinput in a memory. Alternatively, the figure input by the user whensetting the mode may be stored in a memory.

[0204] The user, who is afraid that the foregoing operation includingthe number of rotations required is difficult to memorize and feelsbothersome, on the other hand, may employ the method of unlocking byexecuting the “display mode change” routine shown in the flowchart ofFIG. 20 as a third embodiment.

[0205] This flowchart represents a case in which predetermined steps ofoperation are performed in predetermined order for unlocking. As aspecific example, the unlocked state is achieved by performing theoperation of the counterclockwise rotation, the clockwise rotation andthe enlargement in that order within a predetermined length of time.

[0206] Specifically, first, it is determined in step S181 whether thescreen is to be rotated counterclockwise or not. When the screen is tobe rotated counterclockwise, it is determined in the next step S182whether the screen is to be rotated clockwise or not. When the screen isto be rotated clockwise, it is determined in step S183 whether thescreen is to be enlarged or not. When the screen is enlarged, theprocess proceeds to step S184 to execute the unlock operation.

[0207] When the screen is not rotated counterclockwise by the changebutton in step S181, on the other hand, the process proceeds to stepS185 where it is determined whether the screen is to be rotatedclockwise or not. When the screen is to be rotated clockwise, theprocess proceeds to step S187 where the image switching controloperation is performed for clockwise rotation, while When the screen isnot to be rotated clockwise, the process proceeds to step S188 describedlater.

[0208] In the case where the screen is not rotated clockwise immediatelyafter counterclockwise rotation by the change button in steps S181 andS182, the process proceeds to step S186 for screen switching controloperation to assure counterclockwise rotation of the screen. Thereafter,the process proceeds to step S188.

[0209] Further, in the case where the enlarge operation is not performedimmediately after the clockwise rotation by the change button in stepsS181 to S183, the process proceeds to step S187 for the screen switchingcontrol operation to assure clockwise rotation.

[0210] In step S188, it is determined whether the image is to bedisplayed in enlarged form or not. When the image is not displayed inenlarged form, the main routine is left, while when the image is to bedisplayed in enlarged form, on the other hand, the process proceeds tostep S189 to perform the screen switching control operation to displaythe image in enlarged form.

[0211] As described above, the image display in enlarged form (stepS189) is not carried out immediately after the counterclockwise rotationin step S181 or clockwise rotation in step 182, but made possible onlyafter counterclockwise rotation in step S186 or clockwise rotation instep S187 or in the case where the image is rotated in neither clockwisenor counterclockwise (steps S181 and S185).

[0212] As described above, according to the third embodiment, the unlockoperation can be performed by effectively using the image modechangeover switch of an ordinary digital camera. As a result, theprovision of a useless switch is eliminated and the camera designed in away to permit no person other than the user to easily view other thanspecified images.

[0213] Also, an application of this unlocking function can lead to thecontrol technique to allow reproduction of private information.

[0214] Specifically, the result of the private image pickup operation orprivate voice recording operation performed after the determination“YES” in step S135 in the flowchart of FIG. 16 is recorded in the memory20 a from which the data cannot be easily reproduced. By setting thecamera specification in a way to permit the contents of the data thusrecorded to be viewed or heard only by the user, the fear of the privateinformation being exposed to another person 74 is obviated in thesituation shown in FIGS. 15A and 15B.

[0215] Next, a fourth embodiment of the invention is explained.

[0216] The fourth embodiment concerns a method of permitting thereproduction of private information or the unlocking method according tothe aforementioned embodiment is explained with reference to FIGS. 21A,21B and 22.

[0217]FIG. 21A shows the manner in which the camera 60 is accommodatedin a case 80 for carrying the camera 60. A strap 82 is attached to thebody of the camera 60.

[0218] A specific pattern 84 is drawn on the reverse side of the cameracase 80 as shown in FIG. 21B. When this pattern 84 is varied from onecamera case to another (or, from one camera to another accommodated inthe case), the camera can be designed in such a manner that the CPU 32of the camera determines that the user is trying to unlock and thuscontrols the unlock operation by photographing an image of the patternwith the imaging lens 12 of the camera 60.

[0219] Specifically, in the “display mode change” process in step S131in the flowchart of FIG. 16, the program of the routine shown in FIG. 22is executed, and the pattern of a specific case can be used as a signallike a password for the unlock operation.

[0220] In other words, assume that the camera is set to the unlock modeby the camera switching operation before entering the main routine. Instep S191, it is determined whether the camera is in the unlock mode ornot. When the camera is not in unlock mode, the process proceeds to stepS198 for executing the process to make possible the display mode changesuch as the rotation or the size change.

[0221] When the camera is in unlock mode, on the other hand, the processproceeds to step S192 for determining the state of the release switch.As shown in FIG. 21B, the camera 60 is set in position directed towardthe pattern 84 formed on the reverse side of the case 80 and the releasebutton 32 a is depressed, followed by proceeding to step S193. When therelease button 32 a is not depressed, the process proceeds to step S191.

[0222] In steps S193 and S194, the information including the focallength f of the imaging lens 12 of the camera and the object distance Lare input by a well-known zoom encoder or length measuring means at thetiming when the release button 32 a is depressed. Then, in step S195,the image signal obtained by the image pickup device 14 is determined.

[0223] In step S196, it is determined whether the specific pattern 84 isformed on the reverse side of the camera case 80. When it is determinedthat the specific pattern is an unlocking pattern, the process proceedsto step S197 for unlocking. When the specific pattern is not anunlocking pattern, however, the main routine is left without unlocking.

[0224] As described above, the zoom position and the distance aredetermined in steps S193 and S194 by reason of the fact that as shown inFIGS. 23A and 23B, the ratio which the pattern represents of the imagingdevice 14 assumes different values x₁ and x₂ for different distances L₁and L₂, respectively, from the camera (imaging lens 12) to the pattern85 of the case.

[0225] Specifically, as shown in FIG. 21B, the information describedabove are utilized to suppress the distance variations with the cameraset in position and determine the degree of coincidence of the patterncorrectly. The pattern 84 of the camera case is recorded in the internalmemory of the camera beforehand. This may be either written in thefactory of the camera maker or by the user after shipment.

[0226] As described above, according to the fourth embodiment, a camerais provided in which the unlock operation or the operation ofreproducing private information can be performed without any bothersomeoperation simply by setting the camera in position directed toward thecase and depressing the release button, thereby protecting the privacyof the user, while at the same time permitting the user to enjoy thecamera safely in both private situations and public places.

[0227] Next, a fifth embodiment of the invention is explained.

[0228]FIGS. 24A to 24C show a camera according to this embodiment, inwhich the reproduction of private information is determined by a patternof a user's face instead of the specific pattern determined in advance.

[0229] In the camera 60 according to the fifth embodiment, the LCD panel24 on the back of the camera can be folded and directed forward as shownin FIGS. 24A and 24B. Therefore, a user 86 watching the imaging lens 12of the camera, can observe the monitor at the same time. As a result,the image of her face input in advance is displayed on the monitor,while at the same time displaying by synthesis of the image currentlybeing picked up by the imaging lens 12. When the two images coincidewith each other, as shown in FIG. 24C, the private reproduction isauthenticated.

[0230] Specifically, as shown in FIG. 24A, when the user 86 sets thecamera 60 in position with the imaging lens 12 directed toward herselfand depresses the release button 30 a, a private image is displayed onthe LCD panel 24 as a monitor as shown in FIG. 24C and a private voiceis reproduced by the speaker 54 only when the authentication is grantedas described above.

[0231]FIG. 25 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of controllingthis camera. Once the private mode is set by the mode setting function,the process of the flowchart shown in FIG. 25 is executed.

[0232] Upon execution of the private mode, it is first determined instep S201 whether the display unit of the LCD panel 24 has been reversedor not. Only when the LCD panel 24 is folded, as shown in FIGS. 24A and24B, the process proceeds to step S202 to record an image forauthenticating the private image reproduction or to reproduce anauthenticated private image.

[0233] In step S202, it is determined whether the reproduction mode isinvolved or not. When it is determined that the reproduction mode isinvolved, the process proceeds to step S203, where a reference image isdisplayed by being reversed laterally and vertically on the monitor (LCDpanel). The monitor is thus reversed vertically and used like a mirrorto set the user's face in position at the time of imaging forauthentication.

[0234] Then, in step S204, the imaging operation is started by theimaging device 14 and the imaging lens 12. Further, the superposeddisplay is carried out in step S205. In the LCD panel 24 shown in FIG.24B, the image portion not completely superposed is displayed.

[0235] In step S206, it is determined whether the release operation hasbeen performed or not by the user when the images are superposed. In thecase where the release operation has been so performed, the processproceeds to step S207. Otherwise, the process proceeds to step S201.

[0236] In step S207, the degree of coincidence between the recordedimage and the image currently being picked up is determined by the CPU32 of the camera. When it is determined in step S208 that the images arenot coincident with each other, the process proceeds to step S201, whileonly when it is determined that the images are coincident with eachother, the process proceeds to step S209 to reproduce the private image.Under this condition, the unlock operation described above may beperformed.

[0237] The reproduced signal is displayed until the ending operation isperformed by the user according to the determination in step S210. Whenthe process is not ended in step S210, the process proceeds to stepS201.

[0238] When it is determined in step S202 that the reproduction mode isnot involved, the mode is set to photograph an image providing areference for authentication. In other words, the process proceeds tostep S211 to determine the release operation. When it is determined thatthe release operation has been performed, the process proceeds to stepS212 for the imaging operation. In the next step S213, the referenceimage is recorded followed by proceeding to step S210.

[0239] When the release operation is not performed in step S211, on theother hand, the process proceeds to step S201.

[0240] As explained above, according to the fifth embodiment, the user'sface is determined by the camera to permit the reproduction of theprivate data or unlock the locked screen. Thus, the user can observe aspecial photo or enjoy the music simply by superposing his present faceon his past face for authentication displayed on the monitor. As aresult, a product is provided emphasizing the privacy protection withthe reproduction function which cannot reproduce specified data by theoperation of other persons.

[0241] In this way, privacy is protected and many persons can enjoy thedevice.

[0242] According to this fifth embodiment, authentication is grantedusing an image as an example. Nevertheless, authentication and privacyprotection using a voice are also possible.

[0243] A sixth embodiment concerns the authentication and the privacyprotection by voice.

[0244]FIG. 26A is a diagram showing an example of authentication byvoice input, and FIG. 26B is a diagram showing an example in which theimage reproduced by this authentication is viewed.

[0245] As shown in FIG. 26A, specified words are input by the user intothe microphone 48 (FIG. 2) of the camera 60. When the voice thus inputis coincident with the voice input beforehand, as shown in FIG. 26B, itis displayed on the LCD panel 24 of the camera 60. As a result, the user86 can enjoy the private image. Also, the private voice may bereproduced.

[0246] The operation in the private mode controlled by the CPU built inthe camera is explained with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 27.

[0247] First, in step S221, the voice input start is determined. Onlywhen the voice input is so started, the process proceeds to step S222 todetermine whether the reference signal has been input or not. In thecase where the reference signal has been input, the process proceeds tostep S223. Otherwise, the process proceeds to step S226.

[0248] In step S223, the voice signal begins to be recorded. Then, areference signal is formed in step S224, and recorded in the memory instep S225.

[0249] In step S226, on the other hand, the input voice is not areference signal and therefore the recording is started. In step S227,the input voice signal is compared with the reference signal, andfurther it is determined in step S228 whether comparison shows whethersimilarity exists between the two signals.

[0250] Specifically, the reference voice signal input in advance iscompared with the next input voice signal, and it is determined in stepS228 whether the two signals are similar to each other. Only when thetwo signals are similar, the process proceeds to step S229 where theoperation of controlling a specific image and a specific voice becomespossible for reproduction.

[0251] As described above, according to the sixth embodiment, only whenthe same words and a password sound are input with a specific voice, theprivate image or voice can be reproduced. Thus, a camera with privacyprotected is provided in which a special image is prevented from beingviewed by a third party or an important voice signal cannot be easilyreproduced.

[0252] With this privacy protection, images and voices other thanprivate one can be enjoyed safely by many persons. This design makes itpossible to promote the camera technique both to increase thereproduction screen size and to improve the sound quality of thereproduced voice of the camera. Also, the user can make determinationbased on the logical product (AND operation) of the voice and the image.

[0253] As explained above, according to the embodiments described above,an information input reproduction device is provided which can becirculated to permit the recorded information to be enjoyed by manypersons. In this way, the reproduction of other images and voices thanprivate information is prohibited by other than the camera owner who canenjoy the private images and private voices easily.

[0254] This invention is of course applicable to the portable telephonewith camera, the personal computer and the like.

[0255] It will be thus understood from the foregoing description thataccording to this invention, there is provided an electronic camera inwhich, when the camera is circulated among unspecified many persons topromote human communication and information exchange, images other thanthose designated are prevented from being displayed on the cameradisplay unit utilizing the reproduction function, thereby preventing thecomplication of information while at the same time protecting privateinformation.

[0256] Additional advantages and modifications will readily occur tothose skilled in the art. Therefore, the invention in its broaderaspects is not limited to the specific details and representativeembodiments shown and described herein. Accordingly, variousmodifications may be made without departing from the spirit or scope ofthe general inventive concept as defined by the appended claims andtheir equivalents.

What is claimed is:
 1. An electronic camera comprising: an imaging unit;an image reproduction monitor; an information input unit which addsprivate information at the time of photographing an image; and aprohibition unit which prohibits the reproduction of an image on theimage reproduction monitor in accordance with the private information.2. An electronic camera according to claim 1, wherein the imagereproduction is prohibited by displaying predetermined informationdifferent from the recorded image data.
 3. An electronic cameraaccording to claim 1, wherein the image reproduction is prohibited bydisplaying by converting the recorded image data into a different image.4. An electronic camera comprising: an imaging unit; a display unithaving a first image recording area and a second image recording areadifferent from the first image recording area, the display unitdisplaying the image recorded in the first image recording area inpriority; a judgment unit which judges the private imaging operation atthe time of imaging operation; and a recording control unit whichrecords information in the second image recording area in accordancewith the judgment of the private imaging operation.
 5. An electroniccamera configured to execute recording and reproducing an image and avoice, comprising: a selecting unit which adds private information atthe time of recording, and selects one of a mode for reproducing onlythe image and a mode for reproducing both the image and the voice at thetime of reproduction in accordance with the private information.
 6. Anelectronic camera according to claim 5, wherein the selecting unitselects the mode for reproducing only the image in priority in privatemode, and selects the mode for reproducing both the image and the voiceonly by a predetermined operation.
 7. An electronic camera comprisingfirst and second electronic monitors arranged on the finder and the backof the camera, respectively, further comprising: an information inputunit which adds private information at the time of imaging operation;and a determining unit which determines the reproduction in selected oneof the first electronic monitor and the second electronic monitor inaccordance with the private information.
 8. An electronic cameraconfigured to execute recording and reproducing an image and a voice,wherein private information is added at the time of recording, and inaccordance with the private information, the form of the imagereproduced is changed thereby to reduce the sound volume at the time ofvoice reproduction.
 9. An electronic camera configured to executerecording and reproducing an image and a voice, comprising: an inputunit which adds specific information at the time of recording; and aselecting unit which selects one of a plurality of reproduction modes inaccordance with the specific information and a predetermined informationinput at the time of reproduction.
 10. An electronic camera according toclaim 9, wherein said plurality of reproduction modes includes a modefor prohibiting the voice reproduction or reducing the reproduced soundvolume.
 11. An electronic camera according to claim 9, wherein saidplurality of reproduction modes includes a mode for displayingpredetermined information in place of the recorded image.
 12. Anelectronic camera according to claim 9, wherein the predeterminedinformation input at the time of reproduction is identical with thespecific information added at the time of recording.
 13. An electroniccamera comprising: an imaging unit; an image recording unit; an imagereproduction monitor; a designation switch which designates a recordedimage being reproduced on the image reproduction monitor; and a controlunit which sets recorded images other than the designated reproducedimage into the display prohibition state and thus prohibits the displaythereof.
 14. An electronic camera according to claim 13, wherein thecontrol unit permits the display processing of enlargement, reductionand rotation of the recorded images including the recorded image in thedisplay prohibition state.
 15. An electronic camera according to claim13, wherein the control unit lengthens the display time of thedesignated recorded image over the initial set value.
 16. An electroniccamera according to claim 13, wherein the control unit suspends thedisplay of the recorded image upon the lapse of a predetermined lengthof time.
 17. An electronic camera according to claim 16, wherein thecontrol unit restarts the display of the image in accordance with anarbitrary switching operation after suspension of the image display uponthe lapse of the predetermined length of time.
 18. An electronic cameraaccording to claim 14, wherein the control unit permits the display ofother images than the designated recorded image by executing thedesignation of enlargement, reduction and rotation of the recorded imagein a predetermined order.
 19. An information device comprising: aninformation input unit; an information recording unit; and aninformation reproduction unit, wherein the information recorded in theinformation recording unit is reproduced by the information reproductionunit in such a manner that the input of arbitrary information from theinformation input unit is prompted, and the degree of coincidencebetween the input information and a predetermined pattern is determined,and in the case where the degree of coincidence is high, the recordedinformation is reproduced.
 20. An information device according to claim19, wherein the information input unit has an image input unit and avoice input unit and determines the degree of coincidence based onselected one of an image and a voice.
 21. An information deviceaccording to claim 19, further comprising: a determining unit whichdetermines that a voice has been input; and a reproduction unit whichreproduces a predetermined image based on the output of the determiningunit.
 22. An information device according to claim 19, furthercomprising: a determining unit which determines that an image has beeninput; and a reproduction unit which reproduces a predetermined imagebased on the output of the determining unit.
 23. A portable informationapparatus comprising: an input unit which inputs information includingat least selected one of an image and a voice; a storage unit whichdigitally stores the input information in nonvolatile form; areproduction unit which reproduces the information digitally stored; aspecifying unit which specifies at least one of the digital informationstored in the storage unit; and a control unit which performs thecontrol operation to reproduce by the reproduction unit only the digitalinformation specified by the specifying unit.
 24. A portable informationapparatus according to claim 23, further comprising: a cancellation unitwhich cancels the specification by the specifying unit.
 25. Anelectronic camera having an image reproduction monitor and imaging unit,comprising: a switch unit which designates the reproduced image at thetime of controlling the image display on the reproduction monitor; andan image display control unit which controls by prohibiting the displayof images other than the image in accordance with the determination ofthe operation of the switching unit.
 26. An electronic camera accordingto claim 25, wherein the control unit permits the display processingincluding the rotation, enlargement and reduction of the displayed imageby the switching operation also in the prohibited state.
 27. Anelectronic camera according to claim 25, wherein the control unitlengthens the display time of the displayed image.
 28. An electroniccamera according to claim 25, wherein the control unit erases thedisplayed image after a predetermined length of time.
 29. An electroniccamera according to claim 28, wherein the control unit restarts thedisplay of the image in response to an arbitrary switch operation in thecase where the image is erased upon the lapse of a predetermined lengthof time in the prohibited state.
 30. An electronic camera according toclaim 25, wherein the display of other images than the selected image ispermitted in such a manner that the display processing including therotation, enlargement and reduction of the image is executed in apredetermined order while at the same time canceling the prohibitedstate by the control unit.
 31. An information reproduction input devicehaving an information input function and an information reproductionfunction, comprising: a coincidence degree determining unit whichpermits the reproduction of predetermined information using theinformation reproduction function in the case where the degree ofcoincidence between the input information and a predetermined pattern ishigh when the predetermined information is input using the informationinput function.
 32. An information reproduction input device accordingto claim 31, wherein the information input function includes an imageinput function and a voice input function, and the degree of coincidenceis determined by the information of selected one of the image inputfunction and the voice input function.
 33. An information inputreproduction device comprising: a determining unit which determines thata predetermined voice has been input; and a reproduction unit whichreproduces a predetermined image based on the result of determination bythe determining unit.
 34. An information input reproduction devicecomprising: a determining unit which determines that a predeterminedimage has been input; and a reproduction unit which reproduces apredetermined voice based on the result of determination by thedetermining unit.